Neck Solutions

Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) in whiplash injury: a prospective study

From: Acta Otolaryngol. 2008 Nov 13;:1-6 [Epub ahead of print]

Patients affected by whiplash associated disorder presented alterations of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials. Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials testing may be an important ‘forensic’ diagnostic tool in the assessment of cervical spine injury. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate changes in vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in the assessment of whiplash injuries. Patients and methods. Fourteen patients complaining of whiplash injury were examined and compared with 15 controls. All patients underwent vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing within 7 days from the injury and 90 days after whiplash injury. Beside vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, standard investigation consisted of pure-tone and speech audiometry, impedance audiometry and evaluation of the vestibular system. Results. All subjects presented normal hearing, normal impedence audiometry findings, and normal vestibular function. Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials were present both in patients affected by whiplash injury and in the control group at time 0. At 90 days vestibular evoked myogenic potentials were absent in two cases (14.3%). Statistical analysis showed that at time 0 and at time 90 days p1 latency was significantly higher in whiplash patients compared with healthy subjects on both sides. The amplitude of p1-n1 was significantly lower in whiplash patients, but not at 90 days.